Chapter 4: A New Life Begins

The journey through the enchanted wilderness was far from easy. Every step Lily took in this unfamiliar world reminded her of how little she knew. The power inside her pulsed like a living thing, wild and unpredictable, refusing to obey her commands.

She had expected magic to feel natural—like an extension of herself. Instead, it was like carrying a raging storm within her, always on the verge of escaping.

"Okay," Ethan said, crouching beside a fallen log, watching her closely. "Try it again. Focus."

Lily sighed, extending her hand toward a small rock a few feet away. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the energy inside her. A faint silver glow flickered at her fingertips, and for a moment, the rock trembled. But then—

BOOM.

The rock exploded into a cloud of dust and debris.

Lily yelped, stumbling backward as Ethan burst into laughter. "Well," he said between chuckles, "at least you didn't set anything on fire this time."

Lily shot him a glare. "Not helping."

"Come on, that was progress!" Ethan grinned, brushing dirt off his sleeves. "You moved the rock before it exploded. That's an improvement."

"Yeah, if the goal is to blow up everything I touch," she muttered, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "I don't get it. Sarah used her magic so easily. It came to her like second nature. Why is mine so... unstable?"

Ethan's playful expression softened. "Maybe because you're fighting it instead of working with it."

Lily frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ethan leaned back, looking up at the sky. "I don't have magic, but I've seen how people use it. It's not just about control—it's about understanding. You're trying to force it to obey you, but maybe you should listen to it instead."

Lily considered his words. Could that be the problem?

Before she could respond, a rustling noise echoed from the trees. Both of them tensed.

"What was that?" Lily whispered.

Ethan slowly reached for the small dagger at his belt. "No idea. But I have a feeling we're about to find out."

A low growl filled the air. Then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged.

A beast stepped into the clearing—its body covered in dark, matted fur, its fangs glistening with saliva. It was twice the size of a wolf, its claws digging into the earth as it stalked toward them.

Ethan paled. "That's... not normal, right?"

Lily didn't answer. She raised her hands, silver energy sparking to life. The beast snarled and lunged.

Instinct took over. Lily thrust her hands forward, and a blast of magic erupted from her palms. The force sent the beast skidding backward, but it recovered quickly, growling louder.

"Run!" Lily shouted.

Ethan didn't argue. They took off into the trees, weaving through the dense foliage as the creature crashed after them.

"We need a plan!" Ethan panted, glancing back.

"I am the plan!" Lily snapped. She spun around, skidding to a stop. If she ran forever, the beast would catch them eventually.

She clenched her fists, forcing herself to remember Ethan's words. Don't fight the magic. Listen to it.

She closed her eyes and inhaled. The power within her pulsed—not wildly, not chaotically, but rhythmically, like a heartbeat. It wasn't a force to be tamed; it was a part of her.

Lily opened her eyes, raising one hand toward the beast. This time, instead of forcing the magic, she let it flow.

A silver chain of energy shot from her palm, wrapping around the creature's legs. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled—and the beast collapsed with a furious howl.

Ethan stared in awe. "You did it!"

Lily exhaled, feeling lighter than she had in days. "I think I'm starting to understand."

The beast thrashed, trying to break free, but Lily reinforced the bindings. It let out one last snarl before vanishing into black smoke, dissolving into the wind.

Ethan blinked. "Uh... did you kill it?"

Lily shook her head. "No. It wasn't alive to begin with. It was made of magic."

Ethan frowned. "Then who sent it?"

A chill ran down Lily's spine. She didn't know, but she had a bad feeling that Sarah might not be as far away as she had hoped.

Ethan clapped her on the back, grinning. "Well, if you're gonna keep doing stuff like that, I'd say I picked the right witch to stick with."

Lily rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. "Come on, let's keep moving."

As they walked deeper into the unknown, Lily realized something—this world may have been unfamiliar, but she wasn't alone.

The sights around them transformed into an even more enchanting landscape. The trees shimmered with an ethereal glow, and the air buzzed with magic. A vibrant stream flowed beside them, its waters sparkling under the sunlight.

"This place is incredible," Lily breathed, glancing around in awe.

Ethan walked beside her, a smile playing on his lips. "Welcome to Aetheria. It's not just a world; it's a living tapestry woven from magic."

Lily turned to him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Ethan pointed to the stream that sparkled like diamonds. "The water flows with Aether, the essence of magic that connects everything here. It's in the land, the creatures, even in you and me."

Lily felt a shiver run down her spine. "It's beautiful. But also… overwhelming."

Ethan nodded. "You're not wrong. Magic here is unpredictable, especially for someone new to it. It can be both a blessing and a curse."

As they walked, Ethan began explaining the different aspects of magic in Aetheria. "There are two main types of magic: Celestial and Umbral. Celestial magic comes from the light, used for healing and protection. It's the magic of balance and harmony." He gestured toward the clear blue sky above. "Solmaria, the kingdom of light, is ruled by those who harness this magic."

"And Umbral magic?" Lily asked, a frown creasing her brow.

"Dark magic," Ethan replied, his voice lowering. "It's born from the void and used for destruction and manipulation. The Noctis Dominion, the dark empire in the east, is ruled by those who practice it."

A cold chill ran through Lily. She thought of Sarah and the darkness she had embraced. "So, if Sarah is here… she could be using Umbral magic."

Ethan nodded gravely. "Yes. And if she's working with dark forces, we need to be careful. The balance of magic in Aetheria is delicate. Anyone who disrupts it risks chaos."

Lily felt a surge of determination. "Then we have to find her before she can do any more damage."

They continued their journey, traversing through lush forests and open fields. The sights were mesmerizing—glowing flowers that sang in harmony, trees that danced with the wind, and creatures that shimmered with a magical aura. But Lily knew that beneath the beauty lay danger.

Eventually, they reached a cliffside overlooking a vast valley. Below them lay the majestic Floating Isles of Vaelith, suspended in the sky like ethereal dreams.

"Those are amazing," Lily breathed, her heart racing at the sight. "Are there really beings that can see the future?"

Ethan smiled. "Legend says the Starborn, who inhabit those islands, hold knowledge about magic that's beyond our understanding. They could have answers for you."

Lily felt drawn to the islands. If there were answers to be found, she needed to seek them out. But before she could speak, the air grew heavy, and a low growl echoed from the trees behind them.

Instinctively, they turned, their senses heightened. A pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows, followed by a creature twice the size of a wolf, its dark fur matted and its claws glinting with a dangerous edge.

Ethan's eyes widened in alarm. "That doesn't look friendly."

Lily felt her heart pound as she raised her hands instinctively, ready to summon her magic. But this time, the energy pulsed within her, wild and untamed, begging for release.

"Listen to it," she reminded herself, just as Ethan had advised. "Don't fight it."

The beast lunged, snarling, but Lily held her ground. She closed her eyes, allowing the magic to flow through her without resistance. With a flick of her wrist, a silver chain of energy shot from her palm, wrapping tightly around the creature's legs.

It snarled, thrashing against the magical bindings, but Lily kept her focus steady, reinforcing the chains until the creature finally collapsed with a defeated growl, dissipating into a cloud of dark smoke.

Ethan stared in disbelief. "You did it!"

Lily exhaled, feeling the weight of uncertainty lift from her shoulders. "I think I'm starting to understand how to control it."

As they caught their breath, Ethan clapped